The Evil Tongue Tried and Found Guilty, Chapter 5
CHAP. V. Wherein are declared some of the Aggravations of this sin.
THe sin treated of, as it is very great and abominable in its own nature, as hath been shewed; So it is capable of many Aggravations. Some of them I shall name. Now this sin is aggravated and made more exceeding sinful by the Actors of it.
First, If they are Professors of Christ, and of his holy and pure Gospel-institutions and appointments, and are such as do frequently attend and wait on them, separate themselves from the prophane and superstitious world, and profess to be lovers of, and delighters in the blessed Ordinances and people of Christ; and it is known and observed of the prophane world, that they do so. Now the very profession and separation of these men, do plainly and openly condemn their back-biting, defaming, traducing and reproaching of men. For, their profession and practice in these things, doth call them off from them, and clearly reproves all moral sins over and above their natural Consciences, although their accusations are sufficient (it may be) to restrain them from such deliberate and moral abominations. For none can practise this wickedness, but they must deliberate about the doing of it; as he who tells a lye, doth it with premeditation and deliberation; so he that Reproacheth, doth it with premeditation, & deliberation; & they must needs (unless they do wilfully shut their eyes) know it to be a sin. I say, these men do profess they know God and Jesus Christ, and do approve of the good waies of God, but in works they do deny him to be their God, Tit. 1.16. For their profession, and some of their practices do declare, or they do declare to all men, that they are no more debtors to the flesh, to live after the flesh, Rom. 8.12. and that they have put off the old man, with all the deceitful Lusts, Eph. 4.22. and that they have escaped the pollutions of the world, 2 Pet. 2.20. they are notwithstanding entangled again; in the practice of such an abomination as this, they do thereby make voyd the profession of holiness and righteousness; make it to stink abroad; and condemn themselves of hypocrisie and false-heartedness, and declare themselves to be but dissemblers with God and men. For, the Grace, or Gospel of God, which they do profess to love and obey, teaches them to deny all ungodly and worldly lusts (whereof this sin is one), Tit. 2.11, 12. so that the sin is aggravated, when committed by great professors of the Gospel, under the pure Ordinances & waies of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, the sin is aggravated, If the Authours of it are wise and knowing men and women, persons wiser than their Brethren; for if they are indeed such men as they are supposed, and would be thought to be, they cannot but plainly know and be convinced that this is a foul and abominable sin, a God - provoking and Soul-damning sin. Their Consciences cannot be still and silent, but will flie in their faces, and appear at the bar against them; Indite them before God, and bear witness against them. They will rebuke and reprove them, check and controul them. They will reply upon them, and say to them, Ho! Do not speak this abominable thing, that the Righteous and Holy God hates, Jer. 44.4. For as light stands in the way of a Thief, to hinder him in his designe, so doth light in a mans Conscience stand in the way of his reproaching; and as the Angel of the Lord stood in Balaams way, with a drawn sword in his hand, to hinder him in, and turn him back from, cursing the people of God, Numb. 22.23: So doth the light and consciences of these men stand, in their way of Cursing and Blaspheming others; with the sword of the spirit, to hinder and turn them back from their wicked designs against others good names.
Now if they shall with Balaam press forward, and cudgel, and spur their minds on, to the work, as Balaam did his Ass, against their light and consciences; Oh! how great must their sin needs be. For it cannot be denied, but that one great work and end of Conscience in men, and of the light of God, and knowledg of sin, is to rebuke for, and restrain men from, sinning, Rom. 2.14, 15. and that then their sin is very great, when they shall strive against their light and Consciences, break over these mounds and bounds; and, like Jehu, drive on furiously, to smite the good names of men. To sin against knowledg and conscience, is to sin wilfully, and with a high hand indeed, Rom. 1.21.24.
Thirdly, The sin is aggravated, when committed by Church-members. I say, by Church-members; by such as are members of a true Church of Christ, a Church of holy, and called men and women; a Church of his planting and watering, which he hath chosen and set apart for himself to walk and delight in, Rev. 2.1. A Church who have separated themselves from the world, and dedicated themselves to God. For any of them to become Blasphemers of men, or Reproachers of their good names, certainly is very bad; for they do not sin simply, as in a private capacity; neither is their sin, a private personal sin, but a relative sin also; and it is, and will be so taken, and accounted, and the charge and reproach will lie against, and be imputed to the whole Church; for the sin of one Church member doth in a sense lay the Church under guilt and reproach, 1 Cor. 5.6. Know ye not that a little Leaven, leaveneth the whole Lump, saies the Apostle to the Church at Corinth; his meaning is, that the sin of one of their members had brought the whole under guilt and shame: Oh! that Church members would seriously weigh and ponder this matter: What, shall Church members be Revilers, Back-biters, Blasphemers, Reproachers, Defamers? God forbid!
Fourthly, This sin is greatly aggravated, when committed by publick persons, or persons in a publique Capacity, whether they be Magistrates or Ministers of the Word of God; for they (especially Ministers) are, or should be the Lights of the world, and the Salt of the earth, to guide and season others, Matth. 5 13, 14, 15, 16. They are to be notable examples to others, 1 Tim. 4.12. Of all men on earth, they should have their light to shine before men, that they may see their good works, and be induced thereby to glorifie God, Matth. 5.16. They must be examples in their flocks, 1 Pet 5.3. and that in all good works as much as possible; it is one of their great works, and one of the great ends of their office and advancement, to guide others to Heaven with holy and righteous examples, and with shining Conversations, even such as others may safely follow. Now if they be found blaspheming, reviling, back-biting, defaming and reproaching of others, will they not thereby greatly induce and provoke others to do so likewise? will they not become stumbling Blocks, and Rocks of offence to others? yea doubtless, if a Barnabas was carryed away with the practical errors of St. Peter, and others, Gal. 2.11, 12, 13. Certainly so will men be carryed away from Righteousness now, by the evil examples of their Teachers, and be easily led into sin by them; if they see them going before them in any iniquity. Yea, it is supposed that (their work being to converse with God, and his word more than others) they have clearer knowledg, and a quicker sense of sin than others have, & therefore their sin is so much the greater. And also by their reproaching, they do expose their Ministry to reproach; yea, tye up their own tongues from rebuking sin in others. There are not any persons in the world so much concerned to keep their tongues from evil, and their lips from speaking guile, as Miniseers are upon many accounts.
Secondly, This sin is greatly aggravated and heightned also, when men reproach and desame such persons as these.
First, Gracious and holy men, such as in the general course of their lives, do walk holily, righteously, and unblameably before God and men, so far as men can see; and such who have not only God, Angels, and their own Consciences witnessing for them, that they do indeed do so; but also they have many good men and women ready upon their own personal knowledg of them, and of their conversations, to testifie that their conversations are blameless, and such as becomes the Gospel of Christ. I say, whoever do reproach, back-bite, and desame such persons do sin with a high hand against God and them; and assuredly their sin is exceeding great. Yea, though they do know them somtimes to stumble, fall, and break their bones through the strength of their temptations, Gal. 6.1, 2. For let it be considered that the best of men in this world have their imperfections; their Lusts within, and temptations without, to irritate and provoke those Lusts that are in their hearts; and that it is very seldome (if at all) that they do sin deliberately, resolvedly, or wilfully, either against God or men; but that when they do stumble and fall, it is through their own weakness, want of watchfulness, the strength and violence of temptations that assault them; and contrary to their own habitual inclinations, choice, purposes, desires, and resolutions, their prayers and tears; and therefore though they may for, or by their falls, deserve reproofs, and stand in need of counsel and admonition, yet not of Reproaches and defamations. For if God do pitty and pardon them under, and with a notwithstanding their sins, as he doth, Psal. 103.13. Isa. 55.7. Jer. 31.34. then tertainly we ought to do so too. I… God doth love and honour them, with a notwithstanding their falls, as he doth, Isa. 43.4. 2 Sam. 1.14, 15. Jer. 31.3. surely we should do so much more to our fellow Creatures. Is it not our great sin to reproach such as God hath honoured? To hate such as God hath loved, and will love to all eternity? To slight and despise the Lords pretious and excellent Jewels, because they do now and then (though rarely, though too often) dirt themselves and defile their garments? will any wise and serious man reproach his Jewels, his choyce, and peculiar treasure because they are let fall into the dirt and mire of the street? and if they will not shall we dare to reproach the Lords excellent and rare Jewels, and peculiar treasure; because he may, or doth, now, and than, let them fall into the dirt of the world? God forbid. Yet, notwithstanding they are the Lords pretious, excellent, and choyce Jewels, Mal. 3.17. his redeemed and renowned ones; how bold do their Neighbours and Acquaintance make with their good names? how do they rend and tear them, blaspheme and reproach them, yea, Brethren of the same profession and practice of Religion: Oh, how do they desame and back-bite one another; as if they did neither fear God, nor reverence man, nor believe any judgment to come? But they do sin greatly, and provoke the Lord to wrath against their own souls exceedingly, by their tongues, as they shall find one day, when every mans work shall be made manifest, of what sort it is.
It is a great sin to reproach any man, or to speak evil of him (excepting such who in the general course and trade of their lives, do walk wickedly, and thereby proclaim their own shame to all men;) for we are charged that we speak evil of no man, Tit. 3.2. Now if it be a great sin to speak evil of meer Carnal, worldly men, than how much greater is their sin, who speak evil of, and defame gracious holy men? such as God, hath honoured, exalted, and lifted up on high, such as in the general course of their lives do make it their work and business to honour and exalt God. For men to open their mouths in Blasphemy against the Spouse of Christ, the dearly Beloved of his Soul; his Members, his Delight, his Sons and Daughters, his Kings and Priests; such as are Co-heirs of Heaven with himself, and such as are as dear to him, and he is as tender of, as of the apple of his eye, and such as he himself came down from Heaven to honour and exalt. Oh! how great must their sin be and how highly provoking are they in his sight? For such are all the people of God, although they do too often fall into sin, as these Scriptures shew, Eph. 5.25.30. 2 Cor. 11.2. Jer. 12.7. Psul. 16.3, 2 Cor. 6.18. Rev. 1.6. Rom. 8.17. Zach. 2.8. 2 Cor. 12.26. Moreover, whoever reproacheth the people of God for their real sins, they do thereby reproach the Lord himself, for the reproach reacheth him. As he who reproacheth the Wife, reproacheth the Husband too, and he who reproacheth a member of the natural body, reproacheth the whole b… dy; for if one member suffer, or be honowed, the whole (says the Apostle) suffers, or is honoured with it, 1 Cor. 12.26. So that by virtue of the relations they stand in to Jesus Christ, the union they have with him, and the holy profession they make of him; Jesus Christ will say of all the Reproaches and Infamies that any do cast upon them, although they have sinned as the Apostle Paul did, 2 Cor. 11.29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is reproached among my peculiar people, and I am not in them reproached; and as Christ speaks in Matth. 25. In as much as ye have done it to one of the least of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto me, and I am he whom thou persecutest, Acts 9. For whatsoever good or evil, any man doth to the Lords people, he takes it as done to himself, and will reward them as if they had done it to his own glorious person. For it cannot be, but that Jesus Christ is honoured in his peoples honour, and debased in his peoples debasement; the interest of the one, is the interest of the other, for the Lord Jesus and they are one, Joh. 17. Therefore great is the sin of such, who do back-bite, reproach, and speak evil of them.
Secondly, Their sin is exceeding great, who do d…fame and speak reproachfully of the sound, faithful, and laborious Ministers of Jesus Christ: I say the Ministers of Jesus Christ, s…ch as he hath chosen, gifted, graced, and set apart for the work and service of his Gospel, house, and people; to declare his will to men, and to administer to his people his holy Ordinances; to feed them with the bread of Life, unto everlasting life, and to confirm and establish their hearts in the faith and practice of his will. To convert sinners, and marry them to Christ, 2 Cor. 11.2. and to be their mouths to God, to stand between him and them, and to open the mysteries of his will to them, and their wants unto him, and continually to wait upon the service of their souls; such as he hath promised to be with, and not to leave them, nor forsake them, Matth. 28. but to bless and prosper them; yea, and doth bless & prosper their Ministery, and all their administrations in his name, according to his will, with great success, in converting, teaching, comforting, sanctifying, confirming and establishing of souls; so that many can call them Fathers, Comforters, and Instructors in Christ, 1 Cor. 4.15. such as labour night and day to serve Christ, save souls, and to make full proof of their Ministry (as St. Paul speaks) I say, whoever shall defame them, and speak reproachfully of them, are most horrid and prodigious sinners against the Lord and them, and assuredly they shall not go unpunished. For, such Ministers of Jesus Christ are sealed Ministers, sealed and confirmed in their Ministry by him, and by his people also, 1 Cor. 9.1, 2. They stand in a double relation to Jesus Christ, namely, as Believers, and also as Ministers, and are called to, and imployed in the work of Believers, and the work of Ministers also; and so with respect unto their work and office, their concerns are more with Christ, and Christs with them; or they are more concerned with, and for Christ, and Christ with, and for them, than other Believers are. They have more work to do for God and men, than others have; and Christ expects more service and honour from them, than from others. They have much more of the Im…e of Christ stampt upon them, than other believers have; not only of his holiness, but of his Authority and power also; they are called to stand in Christs stead, and then to do the work that he did, when on earth, 2. Cor. 5.20. hence saies Christ unto the 70 Disciples (not to the 12 only) which he sent to preach, Luk. 10.1, 16, 17. He that heareth you, heareth me; an the that despiseth you, despiseth me; and they being publick persons, and officiating in the name of Christ, are much more eyed and observed by all sorts of men than others are; and therefore whatever infamy, and indignity is cast upon them, is much more offensive, hurtful and pernitious, than when the like is cast upon a private person, and that with respect to Jesus Christ, whose Commissioners and Embassadors they are, to make peace between him and sinners; and as a King will suffer more indignity, by having indignity cast on his Embassadours, than upon thousands of his private subjects, if the like were cast on them; so the great Lord, and King of Kings will suffer more by the indignities and reproaches of his Ministers, than of others. For as a King is immediately (as it were) and more notoriously reproached in the reproaches cast upon his Embassadors, because they have the Kings Authority, and do represent their King in their Embassage; so is Christ reproached more eminently and notoriously in his Ministers Reproaches, because they have his Authority, do his duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page work, and represent him more fully and eminently than any other persons do; so the Reproaches of the Ministers of Christ, are far more scandalous, and pernitious unto all sorts of men (as is well known) for their reproaches are of a far more scandalous aspect, to cause their followers to stumble & fall, and to render their Ministers base and contemptible, or altogether useless and unprofitable to the Souls of men; for when they lie under reproach, they are like unfavory salt in the minds and affections of men; and so by reproaches, men do extinguish & put out the lights that Christ hath for his own glory, and the salvation of souls, set up; and so all the indignities that are offered to them, and all the Reproaches that are cast on them, are more fully and directly cast on Jesus Christ himself, his people and wayes; yea, the Reproach that is cast on one or two of these Ministers, is cast on all the Ministers of Christ, and their Ministry, more than if hundreds of other Believers were under the same reproach.
Moreover, the Lord Jesus hath in an especial manner, given a special charge to all men, to honour and esteem his sound and faithful Ministers, more than other men, and that for their work and office sake, 1 Thes 5.12, 13. 1 Tim. 5.17. and assures all men, who read his Gospel, that all the abuses and indignities that are offered them by any, are offered to him, whose Officers and Commissioners they are. Yea, the Lord Jesus hath hedged up, and secured them by a strict Law, from all reproaches, (so far as a Law can secure them) by an express charge, that no man receive an accusation against any of them under two or three Witnesses, 1 Tim. 5.19. which said Law (were it well observed and minded) is sufficient to secure and preserve their good names from all Reproaches in their circumspect walking; but that Reproachers have no respect unto, or regard of Christ his Laws, his honour and glory in the world, nor to his people, wayes, and ordinances; but their own lusts and wills are their laws; and reproach they will in spite of him and his laws. But assuredly their sin is exceeding great, and so shall be their punishment, without great and timely repentance and restitution. For the Lord Jesus is so tender of, so concerned with, and in them, and so careful of them, as that he will not endure that any should open their mouths against them, or offer any indignity to them; not so much as to raise any jealousie or suspition of them in the minds of others, or entertain any against them in our own hearts; no, not under pain of his hot displeasure. And therefore as the Ministers of Christ should be more careful and watchful, that they sin not, or give any occasion of reproach than others; so, whosoever shall reproach them, they do sin thereby, more than by reproaching others. And although the said Ministers are exceeding near and dear to Christ, and very honourable in his account, and would have them to be so in ours; yet, he knows they are not perfect, and without sin, but that they are encompassed about with sins and temptations; yea, they are assaulted with more violent and strong temptations than others are; for the devil envies and prosecutes them more fiercely than he doth others, that he may render their persons and Ministry contemptible and useless, and that because they are much more prejudicial to his Kingdom of Darkness, in, and by their Office, Ministry, and conversations, than others are; for they stand more in his way, and detect, and discover his subtleties and methods more than other men do. And therefore the greater their temptations are, and the tryals wherewith the Lord doth exercise them; the greater tenderness should be shewed them, in case they do at any time stumble and fall: As also for Christ his sake, for his honour, and glory; and to avoyd scandal to his Gospel, wayes, and people, and for the honour and reputation of their Ministry, that the Gospel be not hindered. I speak not this either to excuse or encourage any Ministers sins, no; but to make men cautious how they do speak to them, and carry themselves towards them in case they should be overtaken in a fault, through the strength of temptation, and their own carelesness. If you do certainly know, or hear them sin, you may undoubtedly (with meekness and humility) reprove them; but you must not at all reproach them, nor blaze abroad to any, their sins, unless in the Lords way, to reclaim them, and bring them to repentance, when your own endeavours and waitings, privatly will not do it; or in case they prove incorrigable, and persist in sin. And undoubtedly, who ever shall speak slightingly and vill if yingly of them, raise any suspitions of them in the hearts of men; detract from their true worth excellencies, and usefulness in the world, or in the Churches of Christ; and any way, or by any means obstruct, or hinder their usefulness or acceptance amongst men, are guilty of reproaching and defaming them, and of Christ in them. Wherein, I am afraid, many high professors, yea, and Ministers too are notoriously guilty. The Lord give them Repentance.
Thirdly, Great is their sin and wickedness, who speak evil of, or reproach their near relations; when Children shall reproach their Parents, or Servants their Masters, Brethren their Brethren; but especially when Wives shall speak evil of their Husbands, or Husbands of their Wives; or Church-members of their Pastors, endeavouring to render them odious and contemptible behind their backs. For as between Husband and Wife, there should be the greatest love and faithfulness, care and diligence to preserve each others reputations, and uphold, and maintain each others interests and concerns in the world; for they to seek and endeavour the ruine of one another, is doubtless a very hainous and crying sin, and such as the light of nature condemns in all men and women. And yet so common and raigning a sin, is this among them, upon any displeasure or offence taken, as is in the world. It is a sad case indeed, that Husbands and Wives should pull out one anothers eyes, and with their Lyon-like teeth, or tongues, back-bite each other, until they have torne out one anothers throat, upon some supposed or real offences given or taken; as if they did delight in each others misery and destruction; yea, and that by such as profess the holy Gospel of Christ. The thoughts of which fills me full of horror and amazement; what, shall such as ought to be the greatest lovers of one another, yea, honourers of one another, be the great murderers, devourers, and dishonourers of one another? Oh, most horrid, and prodigious wickedness! And yet how common a thing is it, for Wives to go up and down with tales and lying defamations against their Husbands, thrusting swords into their backs, ravishing, defileing, and robbing them of their good names, and making them vile and abominable; making their own Jealousies, Suspitions, Lusts, Wills, Fancies, and conceits, the rule and reason of their procedures against them. If Cham, (Noahs Son) was accursed of God, and his Father, for not covering and concealing his Fathers nakedness, when he saw him lye drunk, and uncovered in his Tent, Gen. 9.21, 22, 25, 26. how much more shall those Wives and Children be accursed, who do make their Husbands and Parents naked, and then proclaim their shame, to cause them to stink in the nostrils of men, by reporting and affirming that evil of them, which they are guiltless of; or by multiplying and augmenting what is true, or by aggravating and heightning it. O, how sad is it when their love shall be turned into hatred, and their sweetness into wormwood and gall, against their so near Relations! O, how sad is it to see the nearest Friends and Relations, to become such bitter & hurtful, such pernicious and wrathful Enemies to one another! When such as are intended and given of God to be choyce blessings and comforts to one another, shall be the greatest curses and sorrows to one another. Certainly, the sin of such is exceedingly aggravated and heightned; and it will cost them dear one day. For let such know, that the great and all-seeing God is privy to all their wayes; and he hears and takes notice of all their back-biting Reproaches; and that when they are whispering in the ears of their hearers, and muttering out their Reproaches to them; and he who sees in secret, will reward them, Matth. 6.4.
It is well known, that professing Women do usually make it the matter of their discourse, when they do visit one another, or when they meet together; namely, to back-bite and cast reproach on others: Yea, if they are offended with their own Husbands, they shall not escape the rage and venome of their wicked tongues, no more than others; the reason of my saying that this wickedness is commonly practised by women, is (besides what experience shews, as was said) the account the Scriptures gives of them particularly, and by name, in this matter, which certainly is very observable and significant, 1 Tim. 3.11. 1 Tim. 5.11, 13. Tit. 2.3. These Scriptures declare plainly, that women are more prone and ready to this evil work, than men are. But now such women as will reproach their own Husbands, are monstrous Creatures, and their Company is doubtless to be eschewed and abhorred; for they are such a loathsome generation of Creatures, and so pernitious to man-kind, and to humane society, as that the Scripture calls them Devils, 1 Tim. 3.11. So the word in Greek is, as I shewed before. Yea, I doubt not, but that persons may keep company, and hold communion with the Devil as safely, as with such a generation of women. I speak not this to cast any reproach on women, nor to condemn all, no, but to convince and humble such as are guilty of this practice; and to hedg up the way of all such who are apt and prone to walk in this accursed path. I know some women, who do hate and greatly abhor this wickedness, and would not practise it for the gaining of the whole world. But to conclude, if it be a great sin for one Neighbour to reproach or speak evil of another, then certainly it is much greater, and much more aggravated, when committed by near Relations against one another.
Fourthly, Their sin is exceeding great, who defame and reproach the dead: I say the dead; for they being dead are uncapable of defending themselves against their Adversaries; or to make any holy improvement of their reproaches: and undoubtedly their malice, hatred, and envy is very great against such, as they will not suffer to rest in their graves, but dig up their names, and expose them to scorn, hatred, and contempt; especially if they are such as they cannot but think and acknowledg were good men; such as never wronged them, or if they have, yet have given, or offered them all reasonable satisfactions for the wrong; and are such who were very useful in their lives, and blameless in the general course of their Conversation; yea such as did adorn the Gospel of Christ. Now if the bloody Papists are justly condemned for digging up the bones of good men out of their Graves; and their malice, and superstitious zeal in doing so, be abhorred, and loathed of all good men; how much more condemnable and abominable are they, whose malice, hatred, and envy prompts, and instigates them to dig up the good names of good men out of their graves, to make them odious and abominable, to make sport with them, as the Philistins did with Sampson. And although men and women do know that thus to do, is unnatural and abominable, and that thereby they do greatly sin and wrong their own Souls; yet they do and will practice this abomination, and take pleasure in so doing; I speak what I do know, and testifie what I have seen, and know it to be a common practice.
Now wherein can the malice of men more appear, than in offering such violence and indignity to the dead, or to the names of good men, when they are at rest in their graves. And doubtless, were not men and women besotted with malice, hatred, and envy, they could never do such wickednesses, nor allow themselves in such barbarous practices. But assuredly God will not wink at it, but thoroughly plead their cause, and render recompences to their Enemies, according to their wayes. For it is horrid injustice, and inhumane cruelty which shall not escape unpunished; but first or last, God will without fail, recompence their way upon their own heads, and reward them according to the fruit of their doings.
Object. If it be Objected, but we speak nothing of them, but what we know, and can justifie.
I Answer. It may be so, but what then? will that excuse you before God or men? no, in no wise, for thou art forbidden to speak evil of any man, Tit. 3.2. Jam. 4.11. 1 Pet. 2.1. and that while living; much less when dead. But First, If you knew him to sin when alive, why had you not then endeavoured by reproofs, and instructions to have convinced and brought him to repentance, as you were commanded, Levit. 19.17, Gal. 6.1. Secondly, How do you know but that he repented of his sins before he dyed, and gave satisfaction to such as he had wronged; and if so, then great is your sin, to reproach him now he is dead, with the sins he repented of while alive. Thirdly, What call have you to speak of his sins now he is dead? what warrant have you to do so? yea are you not forbidden it, as was shewed before. Fourthly, What are your ends in speaking evil of him now? are they not to reproach him, and make him odious and hateful? Is it not to ease your malicious minds, and to disgorge your suffocated stomacks, that are full of Pride, Envy, and boyling wrath and choler, at his good name? Surely you cannot indeed have any holy, righteous and charitable ends; neither to do him, or any other man any good; neither to profit his Relations, that are alive or dead; nor yet to profit your own souls, or glorify God. Wherefore (to be short) whoever you are, who shall practise this wickedness on the good names of the dead, though they are dead to the world, yet they are alive to you; and their reproached names will rise up in judgment, and witness against you one day, to your everlasting reproach and damnation, except you repent and make restitution to their good names, whom you have so souly abused.
Thirdly, This sin is aggravated and greatly heightned, when men Reproach others behind their backs, and will not be known to be the Authors or spreaders of it. For as this sin is made more exceeding sinful, Rom. 7 by being committed by, and on the afore said persons; so it is also by the manner and the ends of their practice of it. Now, as was said before, this sin of slandering and reproaching of others, is such an odious, hateful, devillish, and self-condemning a sin, as that the Actors of it are ashamed to be known, and therefore they do it in corners, and greatly desire privacy. They will stab and murder a good man, but they will not by any means have it discovered; but charge their hearers to be as private as possible; and if ever it come to the ears of the reproached, that they are defamed, they must be sure to conceal their names. But this unmanly, and inhumane behaviour of theirs, doth greatly aggravate their wickedness. For, they do by their privacy, hinder him of the best advantage and opportunity for his own defence, and clearing himself; for the reproach spreads abroad far and near, to his exceeding great detriment, and finds acceptance amongst men; but the Authors are hid and cannot be found, though they are still practising their works of darkness against him. So that these Reproachers deal by him, as the Murderers in Ireland dealt with the English Protestants there, they first tyed their arms behind them, put out their eyes, and then Murdered them: Just so do they deal with such as they do reproach; they will first put out, or blind their eyes with fair, sweet, and deceiving words and carriages, that they may not suspect them to have any evil design against them; and then go into Corners, and murder them with their venemous tongues, and as it were tye their hands behind them, by their lying hid in Corners, and utterly disenable them from helping themselves against them: for, as Adders, when they have secretly bitten a man, will presently retreat to their holes in the Rock, where they lye, and there secure themselves from men; so, these back-biting Reproachers do: And therefore of all other Reproachers they are the worst, most dangerous and pernitious to men, and their sin is greater, as they will one day know.
Secondly, Their sin is aggravated and greatly heightned, when they do design and intend to hurt with their Reproaches such as they do reproach; when they do design to detract from them, and to make them vile and contemptible, that they may be slighted and disdained, that they may not be loved, honoured, and respected, but hated and abhorred, deserted and rejected of their friends, and acquaintants, yea of all men. This was Sauls design when he reproached David, 1 Sam. 19. and 23 Chapters. And this was the design of the false Teachers against Paul, Phil. 1.16. and also of the false Prophets against Jeremy. 'Tis true, that I cannot discern any better ends, any Reproachers can have in their reproaching at any time, when they do reproach and back-bite their Friends and Neighbours than these; but of this however we may be sure, that whenever they do reproach them, it cannot be defigned to a good end; and whenever they do design and intend these, or such like ends, they do most certainly heighten and aggravate their sin. But this will be easily granted of all men; and therefore I do beseech every one to prove his own work, Gal. 6. and to examine his own heart, and ask, if when at any time you have reproached and defamed others, you have not had in your hearts, and carryed on such mischievous designs against the objects of your reproach, and that when you knew it would hurt them.
Thirdly, Their sin is aggravated, and greatly heightned, when they do raise or report the real evils and misoarriages of men, especially of good men, with undue aggravating circumstances, and additions; makeing the faults of men, greater, and more than indeed they are; that so they may fasten the greater reproach upon them, and gain a reception of them in the hearts of their hearers, without which (it may be) they would not be minded or regarded, but slighted and rejected. This is the usual way of Reproachers, who have large Consciences, and long Tongues, they will make Mole-hills as big as Mountains, known to be the Authors or spreaders of it. For as this sin is made more exceeding sinful, Rom 7 by being committed by, and on the afore said persons; so it is also by the manner and the ends of their practice of it. Now, as was said before, this sin of slandering and reproaching of others, is such an odious, hateful, devillish, and selfcondemning a sin, as that the Actors of it are ashamed to be known, and therefore they do it in corners, and greatly desire privacy. They will stab and murder a good man, but they will not by any means have it discovered; but charge their hearers to be as private as possible; and if ever it come to the ears of the reproached, that they are defamed, they must be sure to conceal their names. But this unmanly, and inhumane behaviour of theirs, doth greatly aggravate their wickedness. For, they do by their privacy, hinder him of the best advantage and opportunity for his own defence, and clearing himself; for the reproach spreads abroad far and near, to his exceeding great detriment, and finds acceptance amongst men; but the Authors are hid and cannot be found, though they are still practising their works of darkness against him. So that these Reproachers deal by him, as the Murderers in Ireland dealt with the English Protestants there, they first tyed their arms behind them, put out their eyes, and then Murdered them: Just so do they deal with such as they do reproach; they will first put out, or blind their eyes with fair, sweet, and deceiving words and …arriages, that they may not suspect them to have any evil design against them; and then go into Corners, and murder them with their venemous tongues, and as it were tye their hands behind them, by their lying hid in Corners, and utterly disenable them from helping themselves against them: for, as Adders, when they have secretly bitten a man, will presently retreat to their holes in the Rock, where they lye, and there secure themselves from men; so, these back biting Reproachers do: And therefore of all other Reproachers they are the worst, most dangerous and pernitious to men, and their duplicate page duplicate page and make all the failings of the reproached, look with a gastly and formidable countenance. They make their matters good, with wilful lying, and chargeing them with a great deal more guilt than, indeed and in truth, they can justly charge upon them; that so they may blast them, and make their names to stink, which makes their sin so much the more sinful. For their sin is doubled and trebled: for they greatly sin in speaking, or reporting abroad what is really true of them: and then they do aggravate and greaten it, and that with a purpose to make it stick, and abide on the hearts of their Auditors, and to make them vile and hateful to men. Oh, most horrid Villany! Oh, most prodigious wickedness!
Fourthly, Their sin is aggravated, When they do assert and confidently affirm, What they do reproach men withal, is true; and that as to the matter, manner, ends, and circumstances of it, as they have reported and related it, when indeed it is not so; or, in case it be so, yet they know it not so to be, but upon vulgar reports, or of those who hate them, and are their real and apparent Enemies, which indeed ought not to be believed nor received; much less should they be given in as testimonies against them. Yea, it is directly against the laws and rules of Justice and Charity, which all men are bound to shew forth and practise to one another; to take up, entertain, and spread abroad; to censure, judg, and condemn men upon vulgar reports, or upon the testimony of their Enemies, and such as do hate them; and therefore, doubtless, their iniquity is exceeding great, who do in their words and practices take up, and spread abroad evil reports, to the reproach and infamy of men, especially if they are good men, upon such weak grounds, and uncertain evidences as these are. And yet there is nothing more common than for men, either from their uncharitable jealousies and surmises, their fancies and conceits, the uncertain sound of vulgar reports, and the unjust testimonies and accusations of their bitter and notorious Enemies, to receive and divulge reproaches of good men; and such men and women do evidently declare thereby, that they do hate and abbor such persons as they do cast Reproaches on; and also that they are their bitter Enemies; yea, that they do neither fear God, nor reverence men; and that they are persons of the same spirit, with those mentioned and described, Rom. 1.29.30.31.
Fifthly, Their sin is aggravated, When they do speak evil of such persons as they do verily think, and are perswaded, are gracious, holy, and righteous men: yea, let them a…k their Consciences at any time, and they will tell them that such as they do reproach, are holy and righteous men; that they are beloved of God, and real lovers of God; and that they would not sin, or knowingly commit such sins as they do accuse them of, and reproach them for; not for the gaining of a world, no, nor to save their lives from any violent death. And yet it is well known, and too to often experienced, that Reproachers and Defamers will not spare such men any more than others: yea, though they do know that they do wickedly therein, and are convinced in their Consciences that they are serious and holy men, yet they will reproach them in spite of God and their Consciences; like Saul and Pilate, who, though they knew, and were convinced that David and Jesus Christ were just, holy, and innocent men, yet they would persecute, give judgment upon, reproach, and condemn them. Therefore their sin must needs be exceeding great and hainous. It is true, that Reproachers have an art to reprobate the Objects of their hatred and envy, such as they have marked out for Reproach, and chosen to carry, or wear their black hadg and livery, before they brand them, or when they are about the work; but yet then their Consciences speak contrary language of them; and at other times, when they are asked, they will confess that they do verily think, they are good men and women which they do reproach and cast dirt upon with their back biting tongues. And thus having given you a brief account of some of the aggravations of the sin I am speaking of, I shall endeavour to answer some Questions, and remove some Objections out of the way, and then draw to a close of all.